Located
south of Yevlax, Barda today is a small provincial
town on the Terter river. Javanshir - the legendary 7th century king of
Caucasian Albania, lived in Barda, struggling against Sassanid, Byzantine,
Khazar and Arabian armies for the survival of his nation.

For a long period Barda was the seat of
both the Albanian kings and the Albanian Christian Chruch as well as an
important trading and cultural centre, but it declined after the Arab invasions.
Barda is famous for having briefly being invaded by Vikings during the
10th century!

Although still the capital of a 'rayon',
centuries of earthquakes and invasions haven't left much of its former
glory standing, with the exception of the 14th century tomb of Akhmed Zocheybana,
built by architect Ahmad ibn Ayyub Nakhchivani. The mausoleum is a cylindrical
brick tower, decorated with turquoise tiles. See also the later Imamzadeh
Mosque, with its four minarets. There is a Regional Historical Museum
at Nizami Str., 110, in the Palace of Culture. There is a train station.

Agriculture
is the main activity in the area. Local economy is based on the production
and processing of cotton, silk, poultry and dairy products. The cease fire
line is just a few kilometres west of Barda, near Terter.
There are many refugees in the area, as well as relief agencies. As you
move closer to the cease fire line expect to be stopped by the police or
army.